An awareness programme under the PM Vishwakarma Scheme is set to be conducted in Car Nicobar, with authorities aiming to expand outreach among traditional artisans and craftspeople while facilitating access to government support initiatives.
The one-day programme is scheduled to be held on March 20 at the Community Hall in Perka Village, beginning at 9:30 am. It is being organised by the MSME-Development and Facilitation Office under the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Government of India, based in Sri Vijaya Puram.
Officials stated that the initiative is targeted at beneficiaries who have either successfully registered or have applied for registration under the PM Vishwakarma Scheme. The programme is intended to provide information and exposure to various government schemes that focus on enterprise development, financial inclusion, skill upgradation and sustainable livelihood opportunities.
The PM Vishwakarma Scheme is designed to support traditional artisans and craftspeople engaged in specified trades, particularly those who rely on manual skills and tools. Authorities noted that the outreach effort seeks to strengthen awareness about the scheme’s benefits while also linking participants with complementary initiatives that can enhance their economic prospects.
Participants attending the programme will be introduced to different aspects of enterprise development, including access to credit, training opportunities and market linkages. Officials indicated that the event will also serve as a platform to clarify procedural aspects related to registration and availing benefits under the scheme.
The initiative is open to self-help groups, entrepreneurs and artisans who are either registered under the scheme or have submitted applications. Authorities emphasised that there is no participation fee for the programme, making it accessible to a wider group of beneficiaries.
In an effort to streamline participation, interested individuals have been encouraged to register in advance using a QR code provided by the organisers. Officials noted that pre-registration will help in managing attendance and ensuring that participants receive adequate guidance during the programme.
The outreach programme forms part of broader efforts by the MSME Ministry to strengthen grassroots-level engagement with traditional artisans, particularly in remote and island regions. By conducting such events in Car Nicobar, authorities aim to extend the reach of central schemes to communities that may otherwise have limited access to information and support services.
Officials highlighted that awareness remains a key factor in the effective implementation of schemes like PM Vishwakarma. Many potential beneficiaries, they noted, may not be fully informed about eligibility criteria, application procedures or the range of benefits available under the programme.
The upcoming event is expected to address these gaps by providing a structured platform for interaction between officials and participants. It also reflects an emphasis on capacity building, with the aim of enabling artisans to improve productivity and transition towards more sustainable livelihood models.
With participation open to a wide range of stakeholders, including self-help groups and small entrepreneurs, the programme is positioned as an opportunity to strengthen engagement with the artisan community in the Nicobar region.
Authorities indicated that similar outreach initiatives may be conducted in other areas as part of ongoing efforts to promote the PM Vishwakarma Scheme and ensure that its benefits reach eligible beneficiaries across the Islands.
